Container with closure cap



Nov. 3, 1964 Filed June 26, 1961 W. WALDHERR CONTAINER WITH CLOSURE CAP4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 3, 1964 W. WALDHERR CONTAINER WITH CLOSURE CAPFiled June 26, 1961 v @VJ/ 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 3, 1964 Filed June 26,1961 w. WALDHERR 3,155,294

CONTAINER WITH CLOSURE CAP 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 l I l 1 I 53 F/G. 5 a ff 7m/ 5/ if v D 52 J7 Filed June 26, 1961 Nov. 3, 1964 w. WALDHERR3,155,294

CONTAINER WITH CLOSURE CAP 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 7

7f 76 8/ F G. 8 a/ a;

' 72 62 I I Q 75 50 7o" United States Patent CGNTAEJER WITH CLOSURE CAPWilhelm W aldherr, Kafertlerstrasse 162, Mannheim, Germany Filed June26, 1%1, Ser. No. 119,408 laiins priority, application Germany, June 27,1960,

W 28,981; July 1, 1960, W 24,398; Iuly 23, 1960, W 28,227

18 Claims. (Cl. 222-521) The present invention relates to closure capsfor containers. It is known to fill tubes and similar containers throughthe closure cap, however the sealing of the cap after the fillingheretofore has been associated with difiiculty.

It is an object of the invention to make possible the automatic fillingof containers such as tubes or the like in very simple manner.

The container with closure cap according to the invention ischaracterized by a hollow stopper associated with the container or thecap and having at least one opening for the filling of the container,which hollow stopper is constructed so that it may be pressed in forclosing the filling opening in the part connected with it.

p In the accompanying drawing there are shown embodiments of theinvention and wherein:

FIGURE 1 shows a container mouthpiece with a closure cap. On the rightside of the center line the cap is shown in the filling position, whileon the left side of the center line the cap is shown after the fillingoperation has been completed,

FIGURE 2 shows another embodiment of the container mouthpiece; with theclosure cap in the filling position (on the right) and in the positionafter the filling has been completed (on the left),

FIGURE 3 shows another constructional form of a container mouthpiecewith the closure cap shown in the filling position,

FIGURE 4 is a modification with respect to FIGURE FIGURE 5 shows a screwcap before the filling,

FIGURE 6 is a further construction of the container mouthpiece withclosure cap screwed on completely,

FIGURE 7 is a container mouthpiece with a hollow stopper with a dome,and 7 FIGURE 8 shows the embodiment of FIGURE 7 with the closure capscrewed on. t

According to the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1 the container comprises amouthpiece 1 which carries internally a pin 2 centrally supported bymeans of stays 3. On the mouthpiece 1 is threadably engaged a cap 4which can be adjusted as to height by means of screw-thread 5. The cap 4comprises an inwardly projecting annular nose 6, which in the highestposition of the cap 4 comes to abut against an edge 7 of the mouthpiece.In the interior of the cap 4 is provided a mouthpiece 8 which isprovided with a central bore and which is held by means of star-shapedstays 9 in the cap 4. The central bore 10 in the mouthpiece is incorrespondence with the point of the pin 2. Further there is provided anannular space 11 between the inner wall of the cap 4 and the mouthpiece8, through which filling can be eifected. After the filling operation iscompleted annular space 11 is closed by a hollow stopper 12, which isforced into the annular space 11 or held by means of tear-0H notches.Upon application of a filling head 13 the material to be filled isintroduced in the direction of the arrows into the container. After thefilling is completed the hollow stopper 12 is pressed into the cap 4, asmay be seen from the lefthand side of FIGURE 1.

If it is now desired to extract filling material from the container, thecap 4 is slightly unscrewed so that the point 3,155,294 Patentecl Nov.3, 1964 of the pin 2 clears the mouth of the bore 10. According to thedegree of unscrewing of the cap 4 there may be elfected a certainmetering of the filling material to be extracted.

Another embodiment is illustrated in FIGURE 2. The mouthpiece 14 of thecontainer carries a cap 15 which again is adjustable as to height bymeans of a screw-thread arrangement 16. The adjustment in height islimited by a projecting nose 17 of the cap 15, which in the highestposition comes to abut against an edge 18.

In the mouthpiece 14 is a cup-shaped part 19, which is held by means ofradial spaced stays 19 that provide permanent passage apertures therearound. In the cup 19 is centrally arranged a pin 20 which serves as aclosure.

In the central bore of the cap 15 is provided a two part hollow stopper21, 22, of which the inner part 21 is,

provided with an extrusion opening 23. The filling is effected in thefirst instance through the star-shaped gap 24 provided at theedge of thestopper part 22. In the right-hand half of FIGURE 2 the path of thefilling is indicated by arrows. After the filling of the container iscompleted the stopper 21, 22 is pressed into the cap 15, as appears fromthe left-hand half of FIGURE 2.

For the extraction of filling material from the container the cap 15 isscrewed upwardly to provide a pathway extending from the central bore ofthe stopper to the container via the passages in stay 19' and the spacebetween the lower edge of the slightly unscrewed cap 15 and the upperedge of cup 19.

In FIGURE 3 is illustrated a further embodiment of the invention. Themouthpiece is indicated by numeral 25. Therein is held, by means ofstays 27, a long pin 26 projecting out of the mouthpiece. Furtherprovided is a cap 28 which is screwed on the mouthpiece 25 by means ofscrew-threads 29. The lowermost position is limited by the lower edge ofthe cap which abuts a projecting edge 30 of the mouthpiece 25. Furtheris provided a hollow stopper 31 which consists of two concentric sleevesand which can accommodate pin 26 in sealing fashion. The hollow stopper31 can be forced into the complementary annular space 32 of the cap 28or may be fastened thereat by means of tear-01f notches.

In FIGURE 3 can be seen the position of the stopper before the fillingis completed. After the filling operation is completed the hollowstopper 31 is pressed into the cap 28. The latter is raised for thepurpose of the extraction of material from the container. The materialpasses through the annular space around the pin 26 and out through thebore of the hollow stopper 31.

A further modification is illustrated in FIGURE 4. A

container mouthpiece 33 carries a screw cap 34 and is adjustable as toheight by means of a screw-thread 35.

In the lowermost position the lower edge of the cap 34' abuts againstannular edge 36. In the interior of the mouthpiece 33 a pin 37 is heldcentrally by stays 36, and the mouthpiece 33 surrounds the pin 37 to asubstantial height in order thereby to achieve a better sealing. At theupper edge of the cap 34 there is supported by means of tear-off notches40 a hallow stopper 39 consisting of' two conjoined sleeves, theillustrated position of the same corresponding to that during thefilling process. The filling material passes through the central bore ofthe hollow stopper 39 and through the annular space around the pin 37into the interior of the container. After filling of the container iscompleted the hollow stopper 39 is pressed into the cap 34. For thepurpose of subsequent extraction of filling material the cap 34 isunscrewed slightly to provide an extraction path through the annularspace around pin 37 and through the bore of stopper 39.

In FIGURE 5 is illustrated a screw cap 41 which comprises a screw-thread42 adapted for threadably engaging the container mouthpiece. The coverof the screw cap the interior of the container in the direction of thearrow 48.

After filling is completed the hollow stopper 47 is pressed into thebore 43, whereby the pin 44 is tightly surrounded. It will beappreciated that the stopper 47 is tightly engaged with the cap 41 andwhen it is desired to remove the contents from the container the cap 41is unscrewed therefrom thereby withdrawing stopper 47 therewith andbreaking the seal between the stopper and the pin 44. To reclose thecontainer, it is only necessary to screw the cap back into place on thecontainer.

In FIGURE 6 is illustrated a further embodiment of the invention. Themouthpiece 51 with screw-thread 52 supports a closure cap 53 and isprovided with a bore in which a hollow stopper 55 is loosely inserted orfastened by means of tear-off notches. The hollow stopper 55 is providedwith a bore 57. The stopper 55 is provided also with a central uppercover 59 over the mouth thereof which is pierced after the filling iscompleted. This thin portion 59 can also be suspended on the cover bymeans of a tear-off notch. Further the hollow stopper 55 comprises anaxially extending dome 58 of reduced diameter, on which is placed theupper cover 59. Further tear-oil? notches may be provided in order tomake it possible to tear olf the upper portion of the dome.

After filling is completed through the bores 57 the hollow stopper 55 ispressed into the bore 54 by means of a press so that the container iscompletely closed and the filling head can be removed.

If the container is to be put to use, the ring 60 is removed at thenotch along with the thin plate 59. Alternately the thin plate may becut off or torn off. Another possibility is that closure cap 53 isprovided with a pin 64 which upon complete screwing of the cap 53 on themouthpiece 57 forces the thin plate 59 into the interior of the hollowstopper, as may be seen from FIG- URE 6. The above-mentioned pin 64 issecured in the cover of the cap by stays 65. A limitation for the screwmovement of the closure cap 53 is effected by the abutment of a lowerannular bulge 66 against an annular bulge 67 of the mouthpiece.

A somewhat diiferent embodiment can be seen from FIGURES 7 and 8. In amouthpiece 71 with screw-thread 72 is a hollow stopper 73 either looselyinserted (lefthand in the drawing) or a hollow stopper 73' connected bymeans of tear-ofi notch 74 (right-hand half of the drawing). Bores 75again serve as filling openings. The hollow stopper 73 or 73 carries adome 76 which is connected with the actual hollow stopper by means oftearolr notches 77. The dome 76 may be provided with longitudinal ribs78. After filling is completed the hollow stopper is pressed in by meansof a press provided in the filling head so that the container or thetube is tightly closed.

If a suitable closure cap 79 with screw thread 80 (FIG- URE 8) isscrewed onto the mouthpiece 71, a central bore 81 provided in theinterior of the closure cap 79 will receive the dome 76 of the hollowstopper 73 or 73' and press the dome 76 downwards so that it tears offat the notch 77. By means of an edge 82 the dome 76 then rests on thesurface 83 of the hollow stopper 73 or 73'. The amount of screwing ofthe closure cap 79 onto the mouthpieces is limited by the abutment of alower annular bulge 84 against annular bulge 85 of the mouthpiece. Byvirtue of the pressing in, the dome 76 rests fast in the bore 81 of theclosure cap 79. This resting fast can be further reinforced by thearrangement of longitudinal ribs 81 in the bore 81. When the closure capis unscrewed from the mouthpiece 71 of the container the dome 76 is heldfast in the bore 31 of the closure cap 79 so that the filling materialcan be extracted from the container or the tube when the cap is entirelyunscrewed from the container.

What I claim is:

1. In combination, a closure cap member, a container member and stoppermeans, said stopper means having an opening and being operativelyassociated with said members to provide access to the container memberthrough said stopper means with the stopper means in a first fillingposition, said stopper means being displaceably supported in one of themembers for being urged to a second position in which said access isblocked and the container member is sealed, said cap member beingmovably supported on the container member and being tightly securedthereto with the stopper means in the second position, said cap memberbeing movable with respect to said container member to provide adispensing position for said container member in which the containermember is externally accessible through the opening in the stoppermeans.

2. In combination, a closure cap member, a container member and stoppermeans, said stopper means initially being positioned in an extendedposition with respect to said members to define a passagewayestablishing access to the container member whereby the latter may befilled, said stopper means being displaceably supported in one i of themembers for being urged to a second retracted position in which saidpassageway is blocked and said access to the container member closed,said cap member being adjustably supported on the container member andbeing tightly secured thereto with the stopper means in the secondposition, said cap member being movable with respect to said containermember to provide a dispensing position for said container member inwhich the latter is externally accessible through said stopper meansindependently of the first mentioned passageway.

3. In combination, a container member, a closure cap member movablysupported on the container member, and stopper means, said stopper meansincluding a body having a bore therein, said body initially beingsupported in an extended position on the cap member, said cap member andcontainer member cooperatively defining an opening with the cap membermoved to a maximum position of closure on the container member, saidopening being in communication with the container member and accessiblewith the body in the extended position to thereby enable filling thecontainer member through the opening, said body being displaceablysupported on the cap member for being urged to a retracted position inwhich the body is wedged against the cap member and the opening isclosed by the body while the bore in the body is blocked, said body oncewedged against the cap member being movable therewith with respect tothe container member such that upon limited movement of the cap memberwith respect to the container member the bore in the body is exposed andthe contents in the container member can be dispensed through said borein the body.

4. In combination, a closure cap member, a container member and stoppermeans, the means including a body having a central discharge borethrough said stopper means being operatively associated with both saidmembers to provide in a first position of the stopper means externalcommunication with the container member to allow filling the same, saidstopper means being displaceably supported on the closure cap member forbeing urged after filling to a second position in which the externalcommunication with the container member is blocked by the stopper meansand the container member sealed, a pin in said container memberextending towards the stopper means, said central discharge bore of saidbody being also blocked by said pin with the stopper means in saidsecond position thereof, said cap member being movably supported on thecontainer member to provide a position for dispensing of the contentsfrom the container member by movement of the stopper means with the capmember therewith away from the container member whereby the bore in thestopper means is moved away from said pin in the container member andthe container member has external communication through said bore in thestopper means.

5. Apparatus comprising a container including a mouthpiece defining arelatively large opening, a closure cap threadably secured to saidmouthpiece and a stopper having an opening and initially supported withrespect to said mouthpiece to provide communication between the openingin the mouthpiece and the opening in the stopper to enable material tobe fed into said container through said openings, said stopper beingadapted for being wedged into a closed position for said containerwherein the opening in the mouthpiece is blocked and the contents of thecontainer cannot be dispensed therefrom, said stopper being movablealong with said cap as the latter is slightly unscrewed from thecontainer to provide a passageway for discharge of the contents from thecontainer, said passageway being relatively small compared to theopenings through which the material is fed into said container.

6. Apparatus :as claimed in claim 5 comprising means including tear-offnotches initially supporting the stopper on the cap integral therewith.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said stopper has a secondopening separate from the first opening therein, only said secondopening providing communication with the opening in the mouthpiece whenthe cap is slightly unscrewed from the container.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 comprising means limiting the amountof unscrewing of the cap from the container to always leave the capthreadably engaged with the container.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 comprising abutment means on saidmouthpiece for limiting-the threaded engagement of the cap on themouthpiece, said cap being in contact with the abutment means andthereby limited to a maximum threaded position on the container when theopening in the mouthpiece and the opening in the stopper are incommunication and the material may be fed into the container.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said opening in the stopperis centrally located therein.

11. A closure for a container adapted to permit filling and dispensingthrough the closure, said closure comprising a mouthpiece on thecontainer and having an outwardly directed elongated neck portion, a capthreadably supported on the neck portion of said mouthpiece, an outermouthpiece supported within said cap adjacent the mouthpiece of thecontainer, said mouthpieces and cap defining an inlet channel providingcorrununication with the container and enabling material to be fed intothe container through said inlet channel, a stopper of a shape to fitinto and close said inlet channel and thereby close the container, anoutlet channel provided centrally in said outer mouthpiece, closuremeans supported within said mouthpiece on the container at a placenormally to close the outlet channel, said stopper being supported inslidable fashion between said outer mouthpiece and said cap for beingwedged therebetween by being moved to a closed position to close saidinlet channel, said closure means remaining in fixed position withinsaid mouthpiece of the container as said cap and outer mouthpiecetherewith is unscrewed from the mouthpiece of the container whereby uponlimited unscrewing of the cap from the mouthpiece on the container theoutlet channel is opened and dispensing of the contents in the containercan be effected through said outlet channel, said stopper remainingwedged between the outer mouthpiece and the cap as the latter isslightly unscrewed from the container whereby the inlet channel remainsclosed.

6. g 12. A closure as claimed in claim 11 wherein the closure means hasthe shape of a prong comprising an outer end portion of diminishingcross-section to permit variation of said outlet channel betweencompletely open and closed position.

13. A closure as claimed in claim 11 including cooperating flanges onsaid mouthpiece on said container and said cap to limit unscrewing ofthe cap relative to the latter mouthpiece.

14. A closure as claimed in claim 13 including a plurality of radiallyextending spokes defining spaces for supporting said closure meansinteriorly of said mouthpiece on the container, the said inlet channelpassing through said spaces between adjacent spokes.

15. A closure as claimed in claim 11 wherein the inlet channel has arelatively large cross-section compared to the outlet channel in theouter mouthpiece.

16. A closure for a container adapted to permit filling and dispensingthrough the closure, said closure comprising a first mouthpiece on saidcontainer and having an outwardly directed elongated neck portion, anelongated cap threadably supported on said neck portion of said firstmouthpiece, a second mouthpiece mounted within said cap in radiallyspaced relationship thereto and, in axial direction, forward of saidfirst mouthpiece, said cap and mouthpieces defining an inlet channelproviding communication with the container, a stopper of a shape to fitinto and close said inlet channel, and outlet channel provided centrallyin said second mouthpiece, a central bore in said stopper disposed inalignment with said outlet channel, closure means supponted within saidfirst mouthpiece and extending inside said second mouthpiece to closesaid outlet channel when the cap is completely screwed on to the firstmouthpiece, said stopper being supported in slidable fashion betweensaid first mouthpiece and said cap for being wedged therebetween bybeing moved to a closed position to close said inlet channel, saidclosure means remaining in fixed position within the first mouthpiece,as said cap and the second mouthpiece mounted therein is slightlyunscrewed from the first mouthpiece, whereby the outlet channel in thesecond mouthpiece may be opened and the contents of the containerdispensed therethrough, said stopper remaining wedged between the secondmouthpiece and the cap as the latter is unscrewed with respect to thefirst mouthpiece whereby the inlet channel always remains closed.

17. A closure as claimed in claim 15 wherein the inlet channel isrelatively large compared to the outlet channel in the secondmouthpiece.

18. A closure for a container adapted to permit filling and dispensingthrough the closure, said closure comprising a first mouthpiece on saidcontainer and having an outwardly directed elongated neck portion, anelongated cap threadably supported on said neck portion of said firstmouthpiece, a second mouthpiece mounted within said cap in radiallyspaced relationship thereto and, in axial direction forward of saidfirst mouthpiece, said cap and mouthpieces defining an inlet channelproviding communication with the container, an outlet channel providedcentrally in said second mouthpiece, a stopper having an outercylindrical contour and a cylindrical wall adapted to fit between saidsecond mouthpiece and said cap by being inserted therebetween, saidstopper having a central bore in alignment with said outlet channel,said inlet channel having a cylindrical portion adapted to accommodatethe cylindrical wall of the stopper for being closed thereby and anoutwardly Widening passageway extending from the cylindrical portion,said stopper when partially inserted between the second mouthpiece andcap leaving the cylindrical portion of the inlet channel free while saidcylindrical portion of the stopper closes the inlet channel wheninserted into the cylindrical portion thereof, closure means supportedwithin said first mouthpiece and extending inside said second mouthpieceto close said outlet channel when the cap is completely screwed onto thefirst mouthpiece,. said stopper being supported in slidable fashionbetween said first mouthpiece and said cap for being wedged therebetweenby being moved to a closed position to close said inlet channel, saidclosure means remaining in fixedposition within the first mouthpiece assaid cap and the second mouthpiece mounted therein is slightly unscrewedfrom the first mouthpiece whereby the outlet channel in the secondmouthpiece may be opened and the contents of the container dispensedtherethrough, said stopper remaining wedged between the secondmouthpiece 10 and the cap as the latter is unscrewed with respect to thefirst mouthpiece whereby the inlet channel always remains closed.

1,606,519 Exten Nov. 9, 1926 1,842,674 Jones Jan. 26, 1932 1,904,739Kroen Apr. 18, 1933 1,928,895 Jensen Oct. 3, 1933 2,298,655 Segerl-undOct. 13, 1942 2,819,825 Quinche et a1. Jan. 14, 1958 tember 6, 1956.

1. IN COMBINATION, A CLOSURE CAP MEMBER, A CONTAINER MEMBER AND STOPPERMEANS, SAID STOPPER MEANS HAVING AN OPENING AND BEING OPERATIVELYASSOCIATED WITH SAID MEMBERS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE CONTAINER MEMBERTHROUGH SAID STOPPER MEANS WITH THE STOPPER MEANS IN A FIRST FILLINGPOSITION, SAID STOPPER MEANS BEING DISPLACEABLY SUPPORTED IN ONE OF THEMEMBERS FOR BEING URGED TO A SECOND POSITION IN WHICH SAID ACCESS ISBLOCKED AND THE CONTAINER MEMBER IS SEALED, SAID CAP MEMBER BEINGMOVABLY SUPPORTED ON THE CONTAINER MEMBER AND BEING TIGHTLY SECUREDTHERETO WITH THE STOPPER MEANS IN THE SECOND POSITION, SAID CAP MEMBERBEING MOVABLE WITH RESPECT TO SAID CONTAINER MEMBER TO PROVIDE ADISPENSING POSITION FOR SAID CONTAINER MEMBER IN WHICH THE CONTAINERMEMBER IS EXTERNALLY ACCESSIBLE THROUGH THE OPENING IN THE STOPPERMEANS.